HOPES ARE HIGH FOR SUCCESS OF RIVER RUN IN SIMSBURY

Organizers are hoping that the annual River Run road races become an event that draws families into Simsbury.

The event Sunday is a 5K and 10K run that started last year to replace the Drake Hill River Run, which ended after race founder Steve Conroy announced he would no longer manage the event.

It is a family event designed to raise money for charity.

"It's really turning into a townwide family event," said Jerry Garlick, one of the organizers.

The race steps off Sunday afternoon at Iron Horse Boulevard. The 10K race -- 6.2. miles -- will start at Iron Horse Boulevard and Mall Way near the shopping plaza at noon. The 5K race -- 3.1 miles -- will start near Andy's Shopping plaza at 12:05 p.m. Both races will end on Iron Horse Boulevard near Mall Way.

Garlick said organizers hope to draw 750 runners.

The race, which is sanctioned by USA Track and Field, is being operated by the East Granby-Simsbury Rotary Club, the Simsbury Chamber of Commerce and the Simsbury Culture, Parks and Recreation Department.

The Hartford, Blue Hill Insurance and Executive Risk Insurance are sponsoring the event. All of the firms are based in Simsbury.

The registration fee is $10 before race day and $14 on Sunday. Before, during and after the event, family activities will be held along Iron Horse Boulevard, including live music, YMCA games and activities, food and entertainment.

Another tradition of the River Run is the pre-race pasta dinner. The meal will be Saturday at Palmer Hall, 689 Hopmeadow St., from 6 to 8 p.m.

As part of the race, a corporate challenge will be held. The event is open to runners from local companies, who will donate proceeds from the corporate event to charities chosen by the winning team.

A company team contributes $100 to River Run for an entry fee and has a team of at least four runners, two men and two women. The time of the top two male and two female finishers for each company will be totaled to determine first, second and third place.

The winning team will get a Corporate Challenge Cup that resides for a year at the winning firm. The top teams will be able to designate which charities will receive the corporate money. Proceeds from other events will be donated to local community projects, Garlick said.

For further information about the race, call (860) 651-5917 or write to the River Run, P.O. Box 251, Simsbury, CT 06070.

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The Avon High School lacrosse team will pay a night game against Glastonbury in May.

The Avon High School Booster Club has rented lights -- at a $2,400 cost -- to allow for the night game between Avon varsity lacrosse and Glastonbury on May 9.

This is Avon High School's second year of varsity lacrosse; the team finished in the semifinal round of the playoffs in 1996. The game starts at 7:30 p.m.

The lacrosse program at Avon started four years ago with a $1,000 donation from the booster club and the program has become increasingly popular with students, with 60 athletes playing in this year.

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The Canton Lions Club and the parks and recreation department will host a fishing derby May 10.

The annual fishing derby will be at Little Mills Pond at the corner of Symonds Avenue and East Hill Road, and is geared toward children 12 and younger.

Participants are asked to bring their own fishing equipment. Only hooks and worms can be used. The pond will be stocked with 130 brook and rainbow trout.